Every couple of years, an emcee comes along that completely redefines the listener’s conception of what hip-hop is. Whether it was the leader of the new school, Rakim, the radical rhyme animal, Chuck D, the abstract poet, Q-Tip, or the wild styler, Busta Rhymes, they each changed the way you looked at the emcee. These brothers, (along with many others, too numerous to mention,) all made a significant impact on hip-hop music, each bringing in a new class of listeners, eager to dig deeper.

The time has come again. Mainstream America, allow me introduce to you the mighty Mos Def. What puts Mos in the same class as the aforementioned emcees, is that he is an amalgamation of each of them. Like Rakim, Mos Def is looked at as a leader to today’s underground hip-hop heads, as he has helped bring the independent movement to the forefront. Like Chuck D, he brings back the lost pro-black ideals and conscious rhymes. Like Q-Tip, his voice has a beautiful smoothness that is wonderful to listen to, and on the opposite side of the coin, he can attack the mic with the ferocity of Busta Rhymes.

What makes this album worthy of classic status lies all in the talent of Mos Def. The impact made by this album may never be as heavy as other hip-hop classics like Dr. Dre’s The Chronic or Raekwon’s Only Built For Cuban Links, as it is a different animal entirely. What makes Black On Both Sides such an excellent piece of work is that it truly represents the person that Mos Def is, inside and out. Each of the songs are well thought out, and have a purpose, rather than the rambling raps of your typical DMX. Mos even has the talent to sing, which harmoniously blends in with his selection of well-produced tracks.

From playful to radical, Mos gets a message across in each one of the album’s tracks. Mos will lure many listeners in with his more easily accessible jams. “Do It Now”, featuring an amazing chemistry between him and Busta Rhymes, and “Ms. Fat Booty”, a wonderfully woven tale about the tail, are both commercially viable. However, the pro-black views of songs like “Rock & Roll” and “Mr. Nigga” (feat. Q-Tip) might scare off a few insecure listeners, but nevertheless should be listened to with an open mind. On the less controversial side, Mos even makes a point to speak his views on subjects like hip-hop itself (see: “Hip-Hop”) and even water conservation, on “New World Water”. Now when was the last time you heard that in a rap song?

In essence, this is the most honest hip-hop release since The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Sadly, due to the way that the rap industry is controlled, it may never reach that status. On the contrary, Mos Def is such a talented artist, perhaps he’ll penetrate the barriers of marketing and magazines, and propel himself to that level. Do it now, Def!